The site earmarked for the new block includes a car park and a small area of parkland, both on part of the former Exchange Station’s platforms. The original station frontage, now occupied by an office block called Exchange Station, will be unaffected.

Dozens of readers commented on our story, with several concerned about any loss of green space.

But many other readers said they were keen to see more development in this part of the city centre.

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Liverpool Exchange Station

Emma Reilly said: “They are not seriously proposing to build on the only green space in the CBD?! This is where office workers have their lunch and residents sit in peace with their kids at weekends. It also contains rabbits and squirrels.”

But SteveLPL said: “Too many people below who raise their heads when progress is about to go on. It is a good job our ancestors in this great City never had this ridiculous mind-set or we would be nowhere. Our predecessors also built more parks and open areas than any other City in the World.”

Liverpool city council document showing proposed city centre office development behind Exchange Station

Meanwhile, Corona said: “If we took notice to the blockers no development would ever take place in this city, it would still look like it did after the war.

“The fact is that up until 1977 there wasn’t a blade of grass on this site, it was a railway station, so stop whingeing for goodness sake and just be grateful that something is being done to bring some economic prosperity - grass doesn’t pay people’s bills.”

Harry Kellerman disagreed, saying: “That’s just nonsense. You don’t have to build on the one very limited area of green space that exists in that area.”

But FatherFeck backed Corona, saying development was a “complete no-brainer”.

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He said: “The site is almost right next to our main business street , it’s got no buildings on it at present, and Liverpool’s current plans for new quality office space amount to a big fat zilch. Meanwhile Manchester is throwing them up like there’s no tomorrow.”

Some commenters suggested that the city already had plenty of empty office space.

Charliechalk69 said: “Another green space gone. Half of St Pauls square is vacant as is the other half of the city.”

The green flag is waved for the last time at Exchange Station in April 1977.

RickiePrevious said: “You’ve only got to take a walk around the city to see how much vacant office space there is and with all the complications and uncertainties, financial and otherwise surrounding Brexit, which European developer will want to get involved in a project like this before the EU and UK have sorted out where they stand with one another?”

The train from Ormskirk entering Exchange Station, April 29, 1977

FatherFeck responded to that criticism, saying: “the problem is a lot of those offices are not the right type i.e. new with open floor plans, under floor wiring, proper air conditioning and other things companies now expect.

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Everton stadium

GDR said: “This would forever end the chance to reopen Liverpool Exchange. Is Liverpool going to make-do with just one mainline station (east-oriented) forever?

Will 2016 said: “Should re-open the train station and platforms so there is a direct route north to the new Everton stadium on the docks” – to which the rather more cynical TomHet said: “How about a regular spaceship shuttle to Mars as well!”